The medical panel of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) suspects that veteran players, Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman, might not have been 100 per cent fit when they were picked in the national squad for the concluded T20 World Cup 2026.
The same concerns were raised by senior selector Aaqib Javed at a media conference last week, and he said the board would investigate the matter.
A source close to the board said that Dr Javed Mughal has expressed his concerns after examining the two players after the conclusion of the global showpiece. Dr Mughal is a UK-based consultant on sports physiotherapy and medicine, and he joined the PCB medical team as director of sports exercise and medicine in January.
The matter emerged after Babar`s refusal to feature in the National T20 Championship after the global event, citing hamstring irritation. On the other hand, Fakhar reported a similar issue.
“When Babar was examined his injury turned out to be more serious than initially diagnosed while Fakhar also has been struggling with the same problem for months now,” the source said.
On the other hand, the source also said that the national selection committee has made it clear that both players were picked in the squad after receiving medical clearance from the Pakistan team`s physiotherapist, Cliffe Deacon.
Sunrisers Leeds face criticism over acquisition of Pakistan`s Abrar Ahmed
On the other hand, in The Hundred player auction, the Sunrisers Leeds became the first Indian-owned franchise to pick Pakistan cricketer Abrar Ahmed.
The franchise, which is owned by Chennai-based media conglomerate Sun Group, purchased his services for approximately Rs 2.34 crore.
The franchise also faced backlash following Abrar`s signing, with the team`s X account suspended briefly. It was suspended just hours after the team signed Abrar. The platform did not provide a precise explanation for it, but said “Account suspended” when trying to open it.
After Usman Tariq, who was acquired by Birmingham Phoenix for GBP 140,000 (about Rs 1.72 crore), Abrar was the second Pakistani player sold at the auction. However, the Phoenix franchise is not connected to the IPL and has American owners.
No franchise in the Indian Premier League (IPL) has signed any Pakistani player since 2009 due to strained relations between India and Pakistan.
Abrar`s acquisition did not go down well with the fans, who reacted on the Sunrisers Leeds official X account. Several fans took to social media and criticised the Sunrisers franchise and the owner, Kavya Maran, for signing a Pakistani player amidst the ongoing tensions between the two nations.
(With PTI Inputs)
